Trump Sketch #10: Bastille Day

backlau (37)in #drawing • 7 years ago

So yesterday I learned that Trump wants to create a military parade that tops France's Bastille Day. It's funny and a little disturbing that Trump would be inspired by Bastille Day. He must not know its history.

The first Bastille Day parade occurred in 1880. It celebrates a violent uprising in 1789, that led to the French Revolution. At the time, the French Royalty was spending extravagantly on themselves and the commoners voice was easily silenced by the clergy and royalty. The French people were ready for a new written constitution. As tensions drew, a mob was formed. The governor of Bastille realized things were getting hectic and invited the French revolutionaries in to talk. The mob outside was not informed and started to climb the walls to free their friends and obtain ammunition and arms. As more of the mob broke in, the governor ordered his men to shoot, killing around 200 french citizens. This further enraged the mob and they ended up taking over the Bastille. Shortly after, feudalism was abolished and 4 years later, Louis XVI was sentenced to the guillotine.

Trump has misused his Presidential power to increase his wealth, similarly to French Royals at the time. Like Louis XVI, I think Trump doesn't want to give any power to the people (in the US or abroad). Also, Trump never says anything about the growing inequality gap (in US and abroad) and he and his family have greatly profited from his position as President. As we are living in a global climate now, Trumps actions negatively impact everyone.

I'll leave you with my favorite quote of Bastille Day. On the morning after, King Louis XVI heard of the storming and asked his Duke "is it a revolt?" and the Duke responded "no sire, it's not a revolt, it's a revolution"

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